Harlan County, Kentucky — public water systems

How does Harlan County compare with other Kentucky counties?

Harlan County has the most active public water systems among the 127 counties listed for active Kentucky systems in EPA records; among the 66 with 3 or more systems, the median has 4. Its systems report 27,378 people served in total, the 44th-largest county figure in the state and 0.5% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 1,611 people, well below the Kentucky average of 11,699. Population figures are what each system reports; people served by more than one system, such as a wholesaler and the town that buys from it, are counted by each.

Where does Harlan County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Harlan County's active systems draw on purchased surface water (8, 47%), surface water (7, 41%), groundwater under influence of surface water (1, 5.9%) and purchased groundwater under influence (1, 5.9%). Overall, 12% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 88% on surface water, compared with 31% and 69% across Kentucky. Purchased surface water means the system buys surface water from another public water system rather than drawing its own. The county's largest system, Harlan Municipal Water Works, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Harlan County?

Harlan County's active systems break down as 15 community systems (88%), 1 non-transient non-community systems (5.9%) and 1 transient non-community systems (5.9%). A community water system serves at least 15 connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Homes, apartments and mobile-home parks are served by these. A non-transient non-community water system regularly serves at least 25 of the same people for more than six months a year, but not where they live. Schools, factories, office buildings and hospitals with their own supply are typical examples. A transient non-community water system serves places where people do not stay long, such as gas stations and campgrounds, and regularly serves at least 25 people a day for at least 60 days a year. EPA lists their owner types as local government (59%), private (35%) and state government (5.9%).